Doppelkopf

How to play Doppelkopf

Doppelkopf ("double-head") is one of Germany's most-loved card games — a four-player point-trick game with a 48-card double deck and a clever twist: at the start of every hand, nobody is sure who their partners are. You play against three bots, or online with friends in real time.

Play Doppelkopf online with friends

Choose to play online and you'll be matched with real players, or share a private invite link so up to four of you can sit down at the same table in the browser — no account and no app needed. The server deals the cards, enforces the rules and keeps every hand in sync in real time; any empty seats are filled by bots.

The cards

The pack is two copies each of 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King and Ace in all four suits — 48 cards, 240 points. Trumps are: the two 10♥ ("Dullen") on top, then all four Queens, all four Jacks, then every Diamond. The order is 10♥ > Q♣ > Q♠ > Q♥ > Q♦ > J♣ > J♠ > J♥ > J♦ > A♦ > 10♦ > K♦ > 9♦. The plain suits (♣ ♠ ♥) run A, 10, K, 9. Points: Ace 11, 10 is 10, King 4, Queen 3, Jack 2, 9 is nothing.

Re and Kontra

There is no bidding in the normal game. Instead the two players holding a Queen of Clubs are silently partnered as Re; the other two are Kontra. You won't know for certain who is on your side until a Q♣ is played — that's the heart of the game. (Holding both Queens of Clubs is a silent solo against the other three.)

Playing a trick

• The forehand leads. You must follow the led suit — but remember the Queens, Jacks and all Diamonds count as the trump suit, not their printed suit.
• If you can't follow, play anything. The highest trump wins the trick; with no trump, the highest card of the led suit.
• If two identical top cards fall (say both Dullen), the first one played wins.

Scoring

After 12 tricks the Re side needs 121 of the 240 points to win the hand. Driving the losers under 90, 60 or 30 each adds an extra point to the value, as does winning every trick (Schwarz); beating Re ("gegen die Alten") is worth a touch more. The value is added to the winners and subtracted from the losers; a lone soloist scores triple. First player to 7 wins the session.

Strategy

The Dullen and the black Queens are gold — they win almost anything. Count trumps as they fall. When you know your partner is winning a trick, throw your fat cards (Aces and Tens) to bank the points; when an opponent leads, hold up your high trumps. Smoke out the Queens of Clubs early to learn who's who. Tap a card to play it; legal cards are highlighted. N starts a new game.